LEOPARD 3

ODERÜCKE: CONNECTING THE PAST TO THE FUTURE.

The Oderbrücke, reconnecting Berlin and Kostrzyn, marks a significant milestone in European railway infrastructure. Originally part of the historic Prussian Eastern Railway, which linked Berlin to Königsberg, the route had been hindered for years by a dilapidated crossing that limited train speeds to 30 km/h and forced passengers onto inefficient shuttle buses.

Completed in 2024, the new 260-meter-long bridge features a 130-meter steel arch and dual tracks, designed for speeds of up to 120 km/h and future electrification. Its most groundbreaking innovation lies in the use of carbon fibre hangers, 88 CL SOLID hangers in total, each weighing under 100 kg yet capable of bearing 300 tons. This pioneering application of carbon in a railway network arch bridge is the second of its kind globally, following the Stadtbahnbrücke, which also features CL SOLID hangers from Carbo-Link. The lightweight properties of carbon enabled a 25% reduction in structural steel, significantly improving material efficiency while achieving high load-bearing performance. Furthermore, the installation of the CL SOLID carbon hangers was completed in just four days by two teams of five fitters using cherry pickers, enabling a rapid, low-impact assembly process. This approach reduced reliance on heavy lifting equipment, lowered installation costs, and supported the project's overall sustainability goals.